Leather-splitting machine.



- No. 629,062. Patented luly la, 1899.

J. susFlELn.

LEATHER SPLITTING MACHINE.

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` (llo Model.)

N0. 629,052. Patented July I8, |899.

J. BusFlELD.

LEATHER SPLITTING MACHINE.`

(Applchtion filed Dec. 5, 189B.: l "N0 Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

No. 629,062. i Patented July la, |399. .1. BusFlELD.

LEATHER sPuTTmG mAcHmE.

(Application filed Dec. 5, 18084) A (No Modal.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

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No. 629,062. Patented July la, |899.

J. BusnELu.

LEATHER SPLiTTI-NG MACHINE.

[Application: filed Dec. 5, 1898.;

`'fio Modeif: 4 Sheets-Sheet 4,.

NITED STATES Q :PATENT rrics.

JAMES BUSFIELD, OF IIAVER'IILL, MASSACHUSETTS.

LEATHER-SPLITTING MACHIN E.

SPEGIFICIIXTION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 629,(562, dated J' ulylS, 1899.

Y application filed December 5, 1898. Serial No. 698,264. (No inodel.)

To a/ ZZ ywhom zit/ may concern:

Beit knownthat 15J AMES BUsFIELD, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Haverhill, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain neW. and useful Improvements in Leather-Splitting Machines, of which the following is a speci- .fication This invention relates to that class of leather-splitting machines which split small and perhaps otherwise useless pieces of leather through the middle, leaving a small portion unsevered, so that the piece may be laid open and its surface area nearly doubled.

In this class of machines it is very essential that the leather be split through the middley precisely in order that the split portions Will be of equal thickness.

The object of my invention is to'provide amachine Whichwill split theleatherexactly through the middle and which does not require readjustment Whether used on thick or thin leather.

A further object of my invention is to provide an eective means for kspreading the piece which is split and laying the same ilat without injuring the connecting-hinge.

For the better understanding of the main features of improvement secured bymy invention I will first refer, brieiiy, to the prior art.

' The machines originally used for this purpose were provided with springs which bore Von the outer sides of thebearings, forcing the rolls together. These machines did unsatisfactory Work, as it Was impossible to adjust the springs so thatthey would always have the same tension. Therefore the rolls would not separate uniformly. These machines were slightly improved by the Adams machines and some others by providing equalizing-levers of various forms between the rolls to overcomethe uneven separation. They were found to be but a slight improvement over prior machines, for the reason that as the 'equalizing-levers transmit no force there is bound to be 'a certain amount of lost motion at the joints as the bearings move backandf forth. y As the movement of the rollsis slight in any case, a slight amount of lost motion between the rolls will neutralize nearly all the eilcct of the' equalzing parts. In the Smith machine a single spring is arranged so as to force a pair of bearings Vtogether instead o two springs, as in the Adams machine. `In this machine the spring acts to draw down a block which is arranged to slide in a slot at right angles to the line of motionof the rolls.

Two linksare pivoted to the block at one end lbly stick. For this reason the 'spring must be placed under considerable tension, so that the l'rolls will be sure to'graspthe leather with sufficient pressure to force a thin piece of leather through the: rolls, and a thick piece would be gripped withA considerable force. Moreover, as the leather passes between the rolls it must not only overcome the tension of the spring, but must alsoovercome the friction of the bearing-boxes on their Ways. All

fof this causes the iluted rollsto sink into the leather to a considerable extent. If the leather which passes through the machine is soft and pulpy, the ilesh side thereof will be much softer than the grain side. The result is that the excessive .pressure on the leather will compress one side .more than the other, with the obvious result that the leather will not be split in the middle, no matter howevenly the rolls may separate, it being split so that the iiesh. side will be thicker than the grain side.

According to my invention I have combined the advantages of the machines above referred to in a single machine in a manner that also obviates the disadvantages of these machines. I accomplish this result by pivoting a pairof levers at each end of the machine so that they each bear against the outside of their respective bearing-boxes and force them together. Ithen provide a pivotal connection between I each pair of levers and arrange-a single spring so that it will operate -upon this pivotal connection in such a manner. that'the levers will force the rolls together. I avoid the friction caused in the Smith machine by drawing the bearings down on the ways by having the force which moves the bearings together act IOO in their line of motion, and yet I secure the advantage of having a single force act on the equalizing parts so that they will always be drawn in one direction, and if the parts become worn there will still be no chance for lost motion. By this arrangement friction of the parts is reduced to a minimum and the springs may be set so that the rolls may grip the leather as lightly as desired.

I have also improved existing machines in certain other minor details, as will hereinafter appear.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is an end elevation of the machine. Fig. 2 is a cross-section through the center thereof on the line :t a; of Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a plan view. Fig. 4 is acrosssection on the line (zj y of Fig. 3. Figs. 5 and G are side elevations of the right and left sides of the machine, respectively. Figs. 7, S, and 9 are detail views of the splitting-knife support, Fig. 7'being a cross-section on line z a of Fig. S, Fig. 8 a cross-section on vline n n of Fig. 7, and Fig. 9 a cross-section on line o o of Figs. '7 and S. Figs. 10, 11, and 12 are detail views of the support for the straightening-knife, Fig. 10 being a rear, Fig. 11 a side, view thereof, and Fig. 12 a cross-section on the line pp of Figs. 10 and 11. Figs. 13 to 17, inclusive, are detail views of the splittingknife, Figs. 13, 14, and 15 being side, front, and rear end views thereof, respectively, and Figs. 1G and 17 being cross-sectional views on the lines q q and M', respectively, of Fig. 13. j Fig. 1S is a detail cross-section of one of the stopsleeves, the several stop-sleeves shown in the drawings being indentical in construction. Fig. 19 is a detail face view of one of the toggie-levers.

The same reference numerals and letters indicate similar parts throughout all the Views.

The ordinary fluted feed-rolls 1 are journaled at each end in the sliding bearings 2. These bearings slide in horizontal slots 2', formed in the frames a and I) of the machine, the sides of said slots forming guideways 2", between which the bearing-boxes fit nicely and slide readily, so that free horizontal movement is permitted, but vertical movement is prevented. The splitting-knife 3 is supported precisely midway between the fluted portions of the rolls 1, slightly below the axis thereof. A knife 4forstraightcning the edge of the leather is supported in the bracket 5, which latter is supported on frame ci by arms 5 and is arranged to be adjusted vertically therein in any well-known manner. I prefer, however, to provide the vertical end of the bracket 5 with a dovetail groove G, in which the knife 4 fits. The bracket 5 is partially split, as shown in Figs. 1, 10, and 12 at 5, so that the grooved portions thereof maybe clamped together by the screw 7 to hold the knife firmly in place. This bracket 5 is provided with a spout or channel 8, which is so arranged thatit will catch the strip ofY leather which is taken off by the knife 4 as it straightens the edge, thus preventing this Waste strip from dropping into the receptacle which receives the split leather. An angular-shaped guide 9, which. has the vertical face thereof grooved, is adjustably securedto the top of frame a of the machine, so that the center of the groove is in the same vertical plane as the edge of the splitting-knife and somewhat in front of the vertical line from the edge of the straightening-knife 4.

If the edge of the leather piece which is to be left unsevered is straight, the bottom of the groove in guide 9 may be set directly in line with the knife 4, so that no straightening-chip will be taken off, and the waste of leather will therefore be prevented. The particular position at which the guide 9 may be set in order to secure the greatest saving of leather varies considerably according to the shape of the leather pieces, and a ready means of longitudinal adjustment thereof is therefore desirable. To secure this adjustment, the top of the frame a. is provided with two ribs ci a', between which guide 9 is fitted to slide longitudinally. A screw 9' clamps the guide in position, a slot 9 in said guide, through which the screw passes,`permitting longitudinal movement thereof when the screw is loosened.

Levers 10 are pivoted in pairs 011 pivots 11 at each end of the frame. These levers are provided with inward projections 10 at their upper ends, (see Fig. 19,) having curved faces which engage the outer sides of the bearings 2. Blocks 12 are do'vetailed into the vertical slots 13 of the frames a and l) and are adapted to slide therein. Links 14 connect said blocks with the lower ends of said levers 10. Rods 15 are secured by any suitable means, as by screw-threads, to said blocks 12 and eX- tend down through the frame. The lower ends of said rods are screw-threaded to receive the nuts 16. Springs 17 are located between said nuts and the frame, and when the nuts are screwed up sufficiently the springs will draw down the blocks 12, forcing the lower ends of levers 10 outwardly and pressing the bearings, and with them the rolls, toward each other. Springs 1S are located between each pair of bearings and prevent the fluted portions of the rolls from coming in contact. Other means might also be used for this purpose; but the springs are preferably used, as they take up the jar as the rollsv are forced together after the leather has passed between them. It will be seen that the springs 17 and 1S act in opposition to each other, the springs 17 being adjusted so that they are in equilibrium with springs 18 when the fluted portions of the rolls are just out of contact. A cross-bar 19 connects the rods 15 and slides thereon. A spreader or opening wheel 2O is carried by the shaft 2l, said wheel being located directly below the end of the splittingknife 3. This wheel is provided with a central groove 20', and at`each side thereof are tinted or roughened portions 22. The width of the bottom of the splitting-knife should be ICO IIO

about equal to the widthof the burred portions of the wheel 20. The sides of this wheel are tapered from the edge ofthe roughened portions to the shaft, as shown at Fig. 4. A second spreader-wheel 23 is journaled in brackets, so as to rotate freely on its shaft 24 directly in front of wheel 20:in close proximity thereto. Said wheel 23 is 'cylindrical in ferm and is provided with a central annular groove 25, the width of which is greater A than the thickness of the leather which is ordinarily passed through the machine.

One end of shaft 21 is journale'd in the sleeve 28, which sleeve is'adapted to slide on the rod 29. A spring 30 on said rod 29 forces said sleeve 2S up against the adjustable stopsleeve 31, the opposite end of said spring bearing against the nut 32, which is screwed on the rod A29. A twin sleeve 33 is arranged to slide on the shaft 34 and the rod 35, both shaft and rod being supported at one end in bracket 36, and at the opposite 'ends they are supported by the bearing 37 and bracket 38, respectively. The bevel-gear 27' is secured to the shaft 34. An adjustable stop-sleeve 39 is secured to said shaft adjacent to said sleeve 33. An arm 40 projects at right angles from sleeve 33,in the endof which is provided the bearing for the end of the shaft 21, adjacent to thev bevel-gear 26. The ,rod 35 carries 'a spring 41, which presses sleeve 33 u p against the adjustable stop 42 on shaft 34. Anut 43 is screwed on rod 35so that the tension of the spring 4l may be suitably adjusted. The normal relative position of ,wheel 2O with respect to wheel 23 is adjusted by means of the stops 31 and 42, the sleeves 28 and 33, respectively, being forced up against them by means of the springs 30 and 4l. A gear 44 is secured at the rear .end of shaft 34 and is driven by a gear 45, which is of somewhat greater width than gear 44; These gears are driven at such a rate that the surface speed.l of the opening-wheel 2O at its Vcorru gated or` to guide 9 being straightened by knife 4 and will be forced apart a distance according to- Vthe thickness of the leather, the bearings 2 sliding in the slots in the frame, forcing out the upper ends of the levers 10 and Acausing the slides 12 to be forced upwardly through ythe medium of the linked/4,V drawing up thei rods 1 5 and compressing the springsl'. Y As@ As the piece of f the length of the levers 10 and their connecting-links 14 are respectively the same, the extent of the separation ofthe rolls from the lsplitting-knife will also 'be the same, so that the toggle in the same direction, so that there will be no chance for lost motion, even if the joints become badly worn from use. The force which acts on the jonrnaled boxes to press them toward each other acts substantially in line with the line of motion of said boxes, so that even if the boxes lit rather loosely in their slots there is no tendency for `them to be moved laterally or to bind in the slots, as in other devices of this class. With my arrangement of equalizing-levers and the consequent freedom from binding and friction the tension of the springs 1'7 need only be enough to overcome the tension of spring 18 and cause the rolls to grip the leather with a pressure sufficient to force the leather onto the splitting-knife. As springs 17 and 1S are in equilibrium, as before stated, it follows that it takes only a comparatively light pressure to force the rolls apart, and as the outward movement of the rolls is slight under mosty conditions but little of the expanding force of the springs 18 will be lost when the rolls are in their outermost position. This is important, for if a considerable force is necessary to spread the rolls apart the leather will not be split through the middle, owing to the fact that the ilesh side of the leather will yieldmore readily to the pressure of the rolls than the grained side. lMy device has been found to split the leather with such accuracy that a comparatively thin piece of leather after having been split once may be passed through the machine a second time and split again, thus nearly vquadrupling the original surface. Many small piecesof Aleather which are too small for use, even after having been once split, will thus be rendered useful, and a piece which when split once would have made only part of a lift of a heel when split a second time will make a whole lift. As solid heels-that is, heels made of whole lifts-are more valuable than pieced heels, it is obvious that the value of smallpieces may be materially increased by being split twice. After the leather piece is split to the hinge at one edge it will first be partiallyopened by the thickened back of the splitting-knife, and as it descends ther lower edge thereof, if it happens to be horizontal or nearly so, will Yfirst rstrike on the vinclined portions 20'. `2(l,' of

wheel 2O and willnbe opened somewhatjmore IDO IIO

'4 A 'seance and rprevented from striking or catching ony the shaft. It then passes between the wheels 20 and 23, the burred portions 22 22 of wheel 20 engaging the split side on opposite sides of the connecting-hinge, the groove thereinr yedges on the leather which comey together when the leather is spread out, are turned toward each othery in the groove 25 of wheel 23, so that ythe opening operation is more easily and perfectly accomplished and the edges of the leatherr are not blunted. As the surface speed of the burred portions 22 is ythe same f as that of the fluted portions of the rolls 1,

the leather pieces will be spread as fast as they are forced onto the splitting-knife, and as the latter is set slightly below the plane of the axesy of the rolls the burred wheel will draw the leather piece down after it has left the rolls, and thus materially assist in the splitting operation. f f f f The stops 3l and 42 are adjusted so that rwheels 2O and 23 yare just out of contact.

When the leather passes between these wheels, th'e sleeve/28 will slide on rod 29, coinf pressing spring 30, and sleeve 33 will slide on rod 35, compressing spring 4l, and at the same time said sleeve 33 will come into engagement ywith collar 39, causing shaft 34 to slide in bearings 36 andf37. The bevel-gears 2G 27 must obviously remain in engagement andthe gears 44 and 45 will remain in engagement, owing to the additional width of the latter. The wheels 20 and 23 will thus be separated according to the thickness of the leather.

In order that the splitting-knife 3 may be properly adjusted, it must be capable of three adjustments. The support for this knife is shown in detail in Figs. 7, 8, and 9. A main brace 47 is secured at its ends to the two end frames a and b. Said brace is provided with a dovetail groove, in which the support 48 may be vertically adjusted by means of the screws 52 and 53, which bear on opposite sides of the projection 49 of support 48 and which are screwed into the projections 50 and 51 of brace 47. The upper end of support 48 is provided with a dovetail groove in which the knife-support 54 may be horizontally adjusted. This support 54 is provided with a lug 55, which is notched at 58 to receive a screw 5G. This screw 5G is threaded into support 48 and is provided with flanges 57 57, which engage the opposite sides of lug 55, so that when screw 56 is turned in either direction the knife-support will be horizontally adjusted. The knife is secured to the vertical face 59 of support 54 by means of screws 56, which pass through slots 60 in the knife. A screw 6l, provided with an eccentric projection 62, engages an aperture in the knife. The knife is adjusted longitudinally by loos- The cylind ricalr rening screw GO and turning the screw 61. If

the splitting -knife is adjusted so that the forward end is in line with the straighteningknife 4, the two halves of the leather will be separated, as is obvious.y f f Although I have described my arrangement of toggle-levers for equalizingkthe separation of the rolls in connection with a scrap-leathersplitting machine, it is obvious that this arrangement may be advantageously used in connectionfwith any splitting-machine in Y which it is desired to have the rolls separate automatically and uniformly. f

Having ydescribed my invention, ywhat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is as follows: f f

l. The combination in a machine, of a pair ofr feed-rolls journaled at each end in movablebearings, guideways between which said bearings slide, a pairof levers pivoted ateach end ofthe frame, ar-

ranged to engage the outer sides of said'bear-y ings, a single spring for each pair of levers, connections between said springs and levers 2. The combination in a leather-splitting machine of a pair of yfeed-rolls, journaled at each end in movable bearings, guideways between which said bearings slide, a pair of levers pivoted at each end ofy said frame, one end of each lever being arranged to engage the outer side of each bearing, acentral block arranged to move at right yangles to the line of motion of said bearings, links connecting the opposite ends of said levers with said blocks, springs arranged to draw each block downward, whereby said levers will force said rolls toward each other, substantially as described.

3. The combination in a leather-splitting machine, of a pair of feed-rolls, movable bearings in which said rolls are journaled, guideleather-splitting [OOy IIO

ways on which said bearings slide, a pair of levers pivoted adjacent to said guideways on a fixed part of the machine and arranged to engage said bearings and force them together, said levers acting on said bearings substantially in line with the line of motion of said bearings, a pivotal connection between said levers and a spring acting on said levers to force said rolls toward each other.

4. In a leather-splitting machine of the class described, an opening or spreading device consisting of a burred wheel carried by a shaft, suitable connections for causing said wheel to rotate at the same surface speed as that of the main feed-rolls, a cylindrical wheel journaled to rotate freely directly opposite said burred wheel, each of said wheels havinga central annular groove, said grooves being located in the central plane of the splitlting-knife.

'suitable connections for causing said wheel to rotate at the same surface speed as that lof theAv main feed-rolls, a cylindrical Wheel jonrnaled to rotate freely directly opposite said burred wheel, said wheels being located wheel having a burred portion located beneath the back of the splitting-knife and a tapered portion extending from each sideof said burred portion to the shaft, a cylindrical idle-wheel located opposite said burred `wheel, wand means for causing vsaid burred wheel to rotate at the same surface speed as that of '7.v In aleather-splitting machine of the class described an opening or spreading device consisting of a shaft having an enlarged portion located beneath the back of the splittingy knife, a tapered portion extending from each side of said enlarged portion tothe shaft and a roll journaled in-front of said enlarged portion, said parts being arranged so that the unsevered portion will pass between said enlarged portion and said roll.

S. In aleather-splitting machine of the class described a pair of feed-rolls, a splittingknife arranged therebetween, a Ybracket having a dat vertical face4 onY the rear side thereof arranged at right angles to said splittingknife and a short distance in front of saidV knife, a straightening-knife having a flat shank which is secured to said face, the cutting edge thereof being above the upper end of said face, a spout extending downwardly on the front side of said bracket from the upper end of said face, said spout being adapted to receive the chips from the straighteningknife and conduct them free of the machine, substantially as described.

9. In a leather-splitting machine having two end frames, a splitting-knife, an adjustable support therefor consisting of a bracket connecting said end frames, having a vertical groove' therein, a support adapted to be adj ustably secured in said groove, a horizontal groove in the top of said support, a knifeholding support adapted to be adjustably secured in said horizontal groove and having a vertical face at one end thereof extending at right angles to said horizontal groove, means for adjustably securing said knife to said vertical face so that it may be moved horizontally, whereby said splitting-knife is provided With'three adjustments.

10. In a leather-splitting machine of the class described, the combination of the main feed-rolls, the splitting-knife therebetween,

' an angular guide adj ustably mounted in front 1l. In a leather-splitting machine of thev class described the combination of the main feed-rolls, the splitting-knife therebetween,

seneca an angular guide mounted in front ofsaid knife having a vertical face, saidface being in the central vertical plane 'of saidknife and YnA ,5.

,means for'adjusting said guide horizontally j* with respect to said knife.

12.A In a leather-splitting machine of the class described, a spreading or opening de- Viceconsisting of la burred wheel carried by a shaft, bearings for supporting said shaft, sleeves carrying said bearings, rods arranged at right angles to said shaft on which said .sleeves slide, stops at one side of said sleeves, springs for pressing said sleeves against said stops, means for rotating said shaft, and au idle-Wheel mounted directly in frontof said burred wheel, substantially as described.

13. In a leather-splitting machineof the class described, a spreading or opening de Vvice consisting ofa burred .Wheel carried by gashaft, bearings for supporting said shaftat ,each end, sleeves carrying said bearings, rods arranged at right angles to said shaft on which saidV sleeves slide, stops at one side of said sleeves, springs for pressing4 said sleeves against said stops, means for rotating said shaft, consisting of a bevel-gearcarried at one end thereof, a shaft at right angles to the .Wheel-shaft carrying an intermeshing bevelgear vand journaled in one of lsaid sleeves, means for preventing said latter shaft from sliding therein, means for driving said shaft, and a second wheel j ournaled in front of lsaid burred" Wheel, substantially as and for the purpose fetforth.

14:. The combination in a leather-splittingI machine of avpair of feed-rolls, sliding bearing-boxes in which said rolls are journaled, a slot in which said boxes slide, a pair of.1e vers pivoted adjacent thereto, each lever being arranged to engage its bearing-box at the outer side thereof, links connecting said levers, and a spring acting on said levers to press said bearing-boxes toward each other.-

l5. The combination in a leather-splitting machine of a pair of feed-rolls, sliding bearing-boxes in which said rolls arejournaled, a slot in which said boxes slide, a pair of levers pivoted adjacent thereto, each lever being arranged to engage its bearing-box at the outer side thereof, links connecting said levers, a spring acting on said levers to press said bearing-boxes against each other, and a spring interposed between said bearing-boxes and acting in opposition to said first-named spring, the tension of said springs being ad- ICO justed so that the parts are in'equilibrium -ing-boxes in which said rolls are journaled, a

slot in which said boxes slide, a pair of levers pivoted adjacent thereto and adapted to move said rolls toward each other, a spring acting on said levers to force said rolls together, and a spring interposed between said bearingboxes and acting in opposition 4to said firstnamed spring, the tension of said springs being adjusted so that the parts are in equilibrium when the rolls are slightly separated.

17. The combination in a leather-splitting machine of a pair of feed-rolls, sliding bearings in which said rolls are journaled, means for forcing said rolls together consisting of a single spring and suitable connections between said spring and said rolls, and a spring interposed between said bearing-boxes acting in opposition to said first-named spring, the tension of said springs being adjusted so that the parts will be in equilibrium when the rolls are slightly separated.

1S. The combination in a leather-splitting machine of a pair of feed-rolls, sliding bearing-boxes in Which said rolls are journaled, a pair of levers pivot-ed adjacent thereto, each lever being arranged to en gage its bearing-box at the outer side thereof, the portion of said levers which engages said boxes having a curved face, a pivotal connection between said levers and a spring acting on said levers to press said boxes toward each other.

19. The combination in a leather-splitting,r machine of a pair of feed-rolls, sliding bear ing-boxes in whiclsad rolls are journaled, a slot in Which said boxes slide, a pair of levers pivoted adjacent thereto, eaeh lever bein g arranged to engage its bearing-box at the outer side thereof, 111e portion ol said levers which engages said boxes having a curved face, links connecting said levers,and aspring acting on said levers to press said bearing boxes toward each other.

20. The combination in a leather-splitting machine of a pair of feed-rolls, a pair of sliding bearings in which said rolls are journaled, a slot in which said bearings slide, a pair of levers pivoted adjacent to said bearings and adapted to move the same toward each other, links connecting said levers, a spring acting on said levers to force said rollstogether, said levers being arranged so that the force with JAMES BUSFIELD.

Vitnesses: v

LOUIS Il. IIARRIMAN, WM. L. BAKER. 

